Elba stood in the shadows of the second-floor balcony. She leaned against a thick Roman column, holding a small plate of cake, watching the crowded ballroom below.
The heavy glass door to the balcony suddenly pushed open.
A man walked in. He held a whiskey glass. His eyes were bloodshot and his gaze was sleazy. It was Zev Kagan.
Zev spotted Elba in the corner. A disgusting smirk spread across his face. He walked straight toward her.
Elba dropped her fork onto the plate. She took a step back, her back hitting the cold stone railing. She glared at him.
Zev stopped inches away. "Well, well. If it isn't the Potter family's discarded trash. Why are you hiding up here all alone?"
He reached out, trying to stroke her cheek.
Elba slapped his hand away hard.
Who is this pig? she thought, her stomach churning with disgust. He looks like a swollen dumpling. Don't touch me!
Down on the first floor, Angelo was pushing through the crowd. Elba's voice exploded in his head.
He whipped his head up toward the second-floor balcony. He shoved past a group of businessmen and sprinted up the grand staircase.
On the balcony, Zev's face turned red with anger. He stepped forward, trapping Elba against the railing.
"Playing hard to get?" Zev sneered. "You're nothing now. Sleep with me tonight, and I'll give you some pocket change."
Elba's heart pounded against her ribs. She stared at his face, her brain digging through her past life's memories.
Suddenly, a newspaper clipping flashed in her mind.
Holy shit! she screamed internally. I remember! This is Zev Kagan! The psycho who beats Kacey until her internal organs rupture!
Angelo was running down the second-floor hallway. When he heard those words, the last thread of his sanity snapped. Pure, unadulterated killing intent flooded his veins.
Zev reached out, his thick fingers grabbing the delicate strap of Elba's gown.
Before he could pull it, a deafening crash shattered the night.
Angelo didn't slow down. He slammed his broad shoulder into the heavy glass door, forcing the metal lock to break with a deafening crack. The door flew open, hitting the stone wall with a massive crash.
He charged through the frame like a demon. He grabbed the back of Zev's collar and yanked him backward with brutal force.
Zev flew back. Before he could process what was happening, Angelo's fist slammed into his face.
The sound of breaking bone echoed on the balcony. Blood sprayed from Zev's nose. He screamed, crashing into a cocktail table and collapsing onto the floor.
Angelo didn't stop. He stepped forward and planted his expensive leather shoe hard onto Zev's chest, pinning him down. He stared down at the bleeding man with eyes completely devoid of mercy.
Elba pressed herself against the railing, her chest heaving.
He's a beast! she thought in shock. Wait, how did he know I was up here?
Angelo took a deep, ragged breath, forcing his heart rate to slow. He looked over at Elba, his eyes scanning her body to make sure she was untouched.
He looked back down at Zev. "Touch her again, and you lose the hand."
Walter and two security guards rushed onto the balcony, crunching over the broken glass. They gasped at the bloody scene.
Angelo pointed at the groaning Zev. He looked at Walter. "This is the man you chose for Kacey? Cancel the engagement. Immediately."
Walter stared at Zev's bloody face. He didn't ask questions. He trusted Angelo completely. He nodded sharply.
Angelo waved a hand. "Throw him out."
The guards dragged Zev away by his arms.
Angelo walked over to Elba. He took off his suit jacket again and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders.
Elba looked up at him. Her eyes grew hot with unshed tears. Her chest felt tight, but this time, it wasn't from fear.
He's a beast... a terrifying beast, she thought softly, her mind still reeling. But... he aimed all that violence at someone else, just for me. My chest is tight, but for the first time, it's not from fear of him. Being protected... it feels... strangely safe.
The anger drained out of Angelo's body the second he heard her soft thought. He reached out, pulling her firmly into his chest.
"I caught you," he whispered into her hair. "Don't run away again."
